If there is a perfect example of the benefits training can offer everybody, it may lie with the work of Cargill Academy Inhouse Education.
The Academy is the job training division of Cargill Enterprises, a social enterprise created by the Disabled Citizens Society (Otago) Inc which employs more than 80 people, all with some level of intellectual disability, ranging in age from school leavers to retirees. The Cargill Academy is a registered Tertiary Education Organisation (TEO) aiming to give all staff skills that lead to more options and freedom in their lives.
The enterprise specialises in the manufacturing of wood products like pallets, raised gardens, crates, dunnage and presentation boxes but other services include polystyrene cutting, e-waste decommissioning for recycle, and packing items for dispatch among other things.
Crucially, says Cargill Academy tutor Di McQuilton, the organisation embraces the principles of Enabling Good Lives, offering training for their people that enables social and professional growth and prepares people for the challenges of workplaces.
So when ServiceIQ Service Sector Advisor Clare Van Elst came calling to see if there were ServiceIQ programmes that might suit Cargill employees, it was perfect timing.
“We were actively looking into various unit standards available for our students and thought ServiceIQ was a perfect fit, “ Di says.
Set up for success
To date eight Cargill employees have completed or are in the process of completing the ServiceIQ Distribution Savvy Award Level 3. The programme is aimed at getting entry-level employees up to speed with essential distribution skills such as accurate quality customer service, goods and distribution technical skills, standard operating procedures, code of conduct, and health, safety and security practices.
Di says the programme has worked well for its food packing employees, with two also going on to the Team Lead Savvy Award Level 3, to enhance their leadership and supervisory skills.
Image above: Michael Bardrick who has completed the ServiceIQ Distribution Savvy Award
“The ServiceIQ training has created more awareness in our people of the need for professionalism, and the importance of following strictly to process and procedure. It also enhances awareness of health and safety measures,” she says, adding that both the students and the organisation have been well supported by ServiceIQ throughout the training.
“Clare regularly communicates with us and visits monthly for a catch-up with me. Any questions or queries I have had have been swiftly answered and resolved.”
For most of those participating in the Service Distribution Savvy Award it is the first time they have studied as an adult and achieved a qualification so seeing their success is extremely rewarding, Di says.
“There’s a sense of pride and accomplishment among the students, and a huge boost in confidence. One student needed 25 more credits to complete his level three NCEA by the time he has completed the programme he will have achieved it. He is elated!”